When music dissolved with the Vedic chanting and carnatic recital, the people of Calicut got really fascinated from the very beginning of Soorya Festival, one of the greatest cultural events of Kerala. 

Corporation Mayor Prof. A. K. Premajam today inaugurated five day Soorya Festival, a music and dance extravaganza covering a wide variety of themes at the Tagore Centenary Hall, Kozhikode. 

ASIMA, fusion music of Kerala origin compiled and presented by male choir was the inaugural item with seven members, both singers and percussionists. ASIMA in Sanskrit means ‘beyond boundaries.’ The team is based in Thiruvananthapuram. 

It was a music concert where there was a unique blend of Vedic chanting with a harmonic tradition of western music. ASIMA is directed by Australian born musician Devissaro who has been in India since 1980. The five singers include Anil Ram, Gokul Bhaskar, Sree, Khalid and Anoop Sivanand, while percussionist Tao Issaro and Devissaro joined on Bansuri and Key board. 

Beginning with a salutation to Lord Ganesha, the choir presented an evening that touched the heart and soul of music lovers. When time honored rhymes were unified with perfect rhythms, the waves of seven Swaras flowed meticulously creating a soothing environment. It energized like a breeze of sweet and vibrant beats. 

Slokas based on five elements ( Panjabhootham), legendary lullaby Omana Thinkal Kidavo Nalla  Komala Thamara Poovo, followed by Malayalam folk song ‘Onnam Kandathil Thazhutha Nirathy,’ marked the evening , a special one. 

KJ Thomson welcomed the gathering. Giri Rajan (Bhima), Sudha Ranjith, Mavoor Vijayan also spoke. C.L. James expressed vote of thanks. 

The program extends to 4^th October, 2011. Tomorrow’s highlight is an Odissi Group Dance (Nrityagram). Gandhi Jayanthi would become memorable for Calicutans this year with a solo ballet (Music Within) by  Savitha Sastri. Hindustani Vocal by Pandit Ramesh Narayan on 3^rd would hopefully expose Calicutans to the special genre of music. Bharathnatyam by eminent dancer Rema Vaidyanathan on 4^th is the concluding item of the festival.

ASIMA on stage

Kozhikode Corporation Mayor Prof.A.K.Premajam inaugurates five day long Soorya Festival at Tagore Centennary Hall in Kozhikode

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